Arizona weekly enterprise., 1887-04-16
BARRIOS AT HOME.
Heyinp resided in Guatemala f

dGVlng r6S1Qou 1n 0ualeInHId ITOm June, 1888, to January, 1884, in the family of President Barrios, deem my self competent, says 8 lady writer in the New York Tribune, to give 2 true account of the personal appearance, character, life, family, home and gov ernment of that now most abused of Central American statesmen. In ap- pearsnce he is of medium height, stout and broad-shouldered, dark complex toned with black eyes, gray hair aad whiskers, combined with an exceeding ly agreeable expression and counte- ance as open as his heart. He is of firm character, constant, enterprising, and ambitious; is noble friend, be- slowing kindness on all, which not un- frequently is repaid by treachery; low ing and affectionate in his family, kind and generous to the poor. and consid- crate to all prisoners. He leads very regular life, rises at 5 in the morning, takes his coffee or chocolate, proceeds to his office, and there remains but 2 short time, when he goes to the artil- lery park, situated on the plains of Tocotenango, for the purpose of re- viewing his troops, which are kept in perfect drill, and in case of an emerg- ency can be summoned at 8 moments notice. He returns precisely at 10, when he takes his breakfast, after which business occupies him until 4 o'clock, when he rests, surrounded by loving and devoted family. He dimes at and then goes to his office again, where he remains until 8, when it IS his custom to retire. So day succeeds day with nothing to relieve the n,onot- ony and constant strain ot government al duty, save an occasional evening spent at the theatre, or drive to his casitas-ittle country-houses in the suburbs of the city.
 His wife is young and very hand some woman, amiablo, kind, and af- fectionate, and her manners are as charming as her beauty. She is very agreeable in society, which she oc- casionally enters with her relatives to the delight of her husband. She is in telligent and accomplished, as she speaks French, English, and Spanish, draws and paints, and plays the piano and harp excellently. She is gentle and modest, and is beloved by all who know her Her children, seven in number, are bright and interesting, and are brought up to be thoughtful of others, and kind and generous to those 1 of lower conditions of life than they. | One day, the eldest daughter, years old, and who greatly resembles her mother in appearance and disposition, --;.' in English- while l was driving 1 with her in her little pony nh@ton: "Oh. see those people laughing ct that poor little Indian girl, because her dress is thin and worn! l think they ought to be ashamed to do such a thing. l am going to ask mamma nAI can give her some Of my clothes ks soon as go home.h I could not htlp thinking how different were her seHti- ments from those of most American children of her age and position. The youngest boy was born in this country on the 4th of July, 1882, to the great delight of his father, wno Is particular ly fond of the United States, it's cus- toms, and it's people.
 The presidents palace is only one story high, as are the majority of the houses there (on account of the earth quakes). It is airy and roomy, open ing into a court in the center of which is fountain surrounded with choice flowers and tropical plants. 4 lamp post is placed in each corner of the yard, and when these are lighted and the house illuminated by large glass candelabra, holding hundreds of can dles, there is presented 8 scene of great brilliancy. The palace is handsomely and comfortably, but not extrayagant- ly furnished. Twice week band. composed of Guatemalan musicians, plays one hour, from 2 to 6, in the evening, in front of the house. The street is then crowded with people lis- tening to the music, which is really very fine. President Barrios entertains but little, and when he does it is gen. erally in the form of dinner parties, which he gives in magnificent style, and he entertains hls guests by excellent powers of conversation, his eloquence being enriched with thought and his pleasantly full of grace. The inha5- itants all seem to love their president, and many of them have remarked to me that he tries to do all he can for the benefit and improvement of his people. 1 believe that in making the present political move for the consolis dation of the Central American states his cnly object is the welfare and ad- vanccment of the country; and should he be president of that union, judging from past management, none could be more fitted to fill the position than he, for of all the five states Guatemala is the only one that has made rapid steps forward in the path of civilization,